Career Summary

Biography

Research ExpertiseMy principal research interests fall broadly into two main areas -Estuarine and Marine Ecotoxicology -Behavioural Ecology & Animal Behaviour Research support through Australian Research Council Discovery and Linkage Grants 2004, 2004, 2006, 2009

Teaching Expertise-Vice Chancellors Early Career Academic Teaching Excellence Award (2005) -Australian College of Educators and NSW Department of Education and Trainings Quality Teaching Award (2005) -NUPSA postgraduate supervisor of the year at the University of Newcastle(2006) -CARRICK institute of teaching and learning citation for outstanding contribution to student learning(2007)

Macrobenthic community assemblage diversity and abundance were monitored on both Cowan and Berowra Creeks in the estuarine reaches of the Hawkesbury River, Sydney Australia during... [more]

Macrobenthic community assemblage diversity and abundance were monitored on both Cowan and Berowra Creeks in the estuarine reaches of the Hawkesbury River, Sydney Australia during 1997-1998. Natural sediment physicochemical differences were assessed, along with low-level anthropogenic contaminants including copper, lead, zinc, phosphorus and nitrogen. Contaminant levels at all sites were below sediment guideline values for biological effects. Natural physicochemical sediment differences were the main determinants in species assemblage patterns among sites. Three groupings of sites with similar assemblages were observed during February 1998. Berowra Creek sites, which were higher in organic content and silt/clay (and thus metals and nutrients), higher in pH and lower in salinity, were similar in terms of contributions by the polychaetes Ceratoneresis aequisetis, Scoloplos normalis, the isopod Cyathura hakea and the bivalve mollusc Soletellina alba. Sites on upper Cowan Creek, higher in organic content, silt/clay (nutrients and metals) and lower in salinity, were similar and separated from other sites in terms of the polychaete Carazziella victoriensis and the gastropod mollusc Nassarius jonasii. Sites lower in Cowan Creek, tended to be higher in sand content, more saline and lower in organic content and thus nutrient and metal concentrations. These sites were similar in terms of contributions of the polychaete Sigalion bandaensis and the bivalve molluscs, Mysella vitrea and Tellina deltoidalis. The biotic assemblage patterns were not maintained temporally, suggesting the importance of monitoring over time to assess possible future impacts. Aggregating species data to the family level resulted in similar site discrimination. Site differences were less distinct at higher taxonomic levels and suggests future monitoring at the family level is sufficient to detect assemblage differences among sites. The results obtained represent the difficulty in detecting responses to low-level contamination at the community level, and provide a sound anticipatory baseline for the assessment of future possible anthropogenic disturbance in the Hawkesbury River.

Greenwood ME, Macfarlane GR, 'Effects of salinity and temperature fluctuations on the germination of three macrophytes in a coastal marsh system designated for restoration', Book of Abstracts, North Sydney, NSW, Australia (2005) [E3]

O'Connor W, Gifford SP, Macfarlane GR, Dunstan RH, 'Mollusc culture development on the Australian east coast: issues, perceptions and management measures', World Aquaculture 2005: International peace and development through aquaculture, Bali, Indonesia (2005) [E3]

Past Supervision

Year

Research Title / Program / Supervisor Type

2011

Molluscan Biomonitor for Quantification and Impact Assessment of Estrogenic and Metallic Contaminants in Australian Marine EcosystemsEnvironmental Studies, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyPrincipal Supervisor

2008

Predicting the Effects of Salinity on Three Dominant Macrophytes: An Anticipatory Approach to the Restoration of Degraded Coastal Wetlands in NSW, AustraliaEnvironmental Studies, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologySole Supervisor

2006

Environmental Considerations Associated with the Development of an Akoya Pearl Aquaculture Industry in NSW, AustraliaBiological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyCo-Supervisor

2005

Effects of Runnelling on Saltmarsh in Port Stephens, New South Wales, AustraliaBiological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyCo-Supervisor